Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1887-08-27
POULTRY vERMlN.
How to Prevent Lice and other Parasitic
Insects on Fowls,

How TO Prevent Lice ana Otner fhrASi 10
Insects on Fowls.
Frequently the most difficult work OF
the poultry man is that of Kidding the
premises of vermin. Most persons do
not become aware of the presence of
vermin until the little red mites are
seen in myraids. These can easily bc
destroyed by using proper methods.
The great scourge of poultry is not
the mites, but the large body-louSe
that hides at the base of the feathers,
on the head and neck. As they are
only found there on the fowls, an eX-
animation of the quarters does not re-
veal them, when they may be buSily ut
work on the birds. When the hens
seem to droop without apparent cause,
the chances are that a close examine
ton of their heads and necks will re-
veal Swarms of these lice, Little
chicks, especially those that feather
very rapidly, such as Dorkmgs, Games
and Leghorns, will soon succumb to
the large lice, and often the cause will
be ascribed to something else,
To prevent lice on fowls, the best
thing is the dust-bath, which must con-
sist of fine clay or coal ashes. If the
quarters are kept clean, the hens will
prevent the attacks of lice by busting,
but when once the lice put in an ap-
pearance, the poultryman is compelled
to take active measures, as the lice
must be fought until not a single one
remains. Kerosene must not be used
on the bodies of the hens, as it will
| sometimes kill them. For the large
body lice, first grease the heads, nccks
and vents with a mixture made by adj
ding Il teaspoonful of crude petroleum
to every gill of lard, Use it warm, so
it will spread well. Then dust the
hens we'll with California or Persian
insect powder. Repeat this every third
day, and dust every portion of the
body, but do not grease the body
only the head, neck and vent,
To clean the poultry house, every
crack and crevice must be reached.
The roosts and nests should be move
able, and outside. Sponge the roosts
with kerosene, apply u lighted match,
and let the fire run over it.
Empty the nests, (burn the de-
bris,) and sponge them with kero-
senc, applying lighted match, the
same as with the roosts. Now thor
oughly mix one quart of Kerosene oil
to four quarts of strong soapsuds or
skim-milk, churn them to an emulsion,
and sprinkle it, from a watering can,
over every part of the houSc-tloor,
walls, and ever the roof. Saturate
them well, then open the doors and
allow the house to dry. Next, thor
oughly dust every part of the house
with II mixture of the following Fine
dry lime, one peck; carbolate Of lime,
one pound Persian insect powder, one
pound. These materials should be fine
and dry, and should be blown into
every crack and crevicc, and not II
square inch of space be overlooked.
Put kerosene on the roosts-cycry part,
and then replace them. Put fresh earth
and clean chopped hay in thenest boxes
and set them in position, Dust the
nests thickly with the powder suggest
ed, and add a quart OF the powder
to the dust bath. Saturate the yards
with a solution of one pint carbolic
acid to ten gallons OF water, and If
necessary spade them. Before clean
ing the house rcmoye the d%roppings,
and as they will contain mites, pour the
soapsud mixture ovcr them, and apply
them on the field, at a distance from
the house. The droppings are valuable
as manure.
All this care and preparation calls
for work, but tits absolutely necessary.
And it must be repeated until lice no
longer find it comfortable Get rid Of
them, and then keep them ont. Exam
inc the house, as well as the bodies Of
the hens, at least onc a week, AZ there
is no knowing when lice may be pres.
ent. -American AgricHltariSt.